For over 25 years, Trevor has built a professional reputation as a leading property developer. He specialises in student accommodation, large apartment blocks, property for housing associations and sheltered accommodation, as well as new build and refurbished properties.

Throughout his successful and varied career, Trevor has worked to develop property for both himself and for associated companies, and his experience has delivered value in an excess of £25 million. Previously, he played a major role in a successful finance company, Chesterfield Finance Limited, arranging finance and re-finance for small, medium and large clients for both residential and commercial acquisitions. In addition to this, Trevor was also engaged by Abbey Life then GRE as an Associate Financial Advisor and Planner.

From 2021 to 2024 Trevor worked alongside HJ Collections rise in becoming a leading property developer winning the National landlord investment property developer of the year award for 2022,2023 and 2024. HJ Collection is a leading nationwide property developer in the unregulated investment market and Trevor was responsible for the acquisitions and development of numerous sites.

Liam Brettell is an entrepreneur and business leader. The Founder and CEO of Wise Smart Group Ltd in which houses several subsidiaries.

In 2019 Liam met Trevor and their journey began.

By trade Liam is an accredited plumbing and heating engineer, however his goal was to become a leader and to be able to create his own businesses in the commercial and domestic property sector, whilst on his journey he was passionate to bring family members along to help build the team that is here today.

From 2021 to 2024 Liam was project manager for developments on numerous sites for HJ Collections, who won property developer of the year award by the national landlord investment for 2022, 2023 and 2024 in the unregulated sector.

Nicholas Rattray is an SRA regulated solicitor with over 33 years experience with law firms located in the City and West End of London.  He has also developed a general commercial practice from years in-house at client businesses.

He has extensive contentious and non-contentious experience and has acted in a number of high profile corporate and personal matters.

Outside of his legal practice he has worked extensively in the UK, Africa and the Middle East at board level in both quoted and private companies and is an entrepreneur with interests in a number of UK and overseas businesses. This gives him a valuable commercial edge to his approach.

With experience in town and country planning which spans over three decades, Russell’s background has seen him work across a vast range of development projects. Working within both the private and public sector, Russell spent a number of years in roles including as a Planning Assistant within several local authorities before going into private practice. He established his own successful independent planning consultancy almost 20 years ago and this has since grown to be recognised as one of the leading independent planning consultancies in the south-east.

Russell’s qualifications include a Bachelor of Engineering Honours Degree (enhanced); Post-graduate Diploma with Distinction in Town Planning and he is a Recipient of RTPI prize for outstanding achievement. He is also member of the Royal Town Planning Institute.

AFSHEEN GUL Director | Corporate & Commercial Finance | Property & Structured Lending

EXECUTIVE PROFILE Senior finance professional with over 15 years’ experience across corporate banking and FCA-regulated finance businesses. Currently Director of Berkeley Commercial Finance Ltd, with responsibility for financial strategy, client relationships, lender and investor engagement, and structured funding execution. Recognised for building durable partnerships and delivering disciplined, commercially aligned outcomes.

CORE STRENGTHS Corporate financial leadership and commercial judgement, Client, investor, lender, and strategic partner relationships, Capital structuring across property and corporate finance, Transaction execution and end-to-end ownership, Risk management, credit assessment, and regulatory oversight

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Director – Berkeley Commercial Finance Ltd, Lead an FCA-authorised commercial finance brokerage specialising in bridging, development, buy-to-let, asset finance, and invoice factoring. Hold responsibility for client engagement, capital structuring, and transaction delivery. Develop and maintain senior relationships with banks, specialist lenders, private funders, and strategic partners. Structure and execute funding solutions aligned with commercial objectives and risk frameworks. Oversee governance, compliance, and operational control across transactions. Relationship Manager – Corporate & Commercial Banking (RBS / NatWest), Managed high-value corporate and commercial banking portfolios. Led client relationships delivering structured lending and property finance solutions. Owned credit submissions, financial analysis, and risk positioning. Worked directly with credit committees, risk teams, and legal functions. Built long-term partnerships with corporates, investors, and professional stakeholders

Head of Marketing | Founder – Mayfair Consultants

Usman Janjua is the Founder of Mayfair Consultants and Head of Marketing, specialising in property development positioning, strategic brand growth, and investor-focused visibility.

Through Mayfair Consultants, he works alongside developers to transform projects into recognised, investable brands. His role includes structured on-site documentation, digital growth strategy, website oversight, and investor-facing communications  ensuring developments are presented with credibility, transparency, and long-term strategic positioning.

Usman brings a unique combination of commercial strategy and executive leadership experience. Alongside his consultancy work, he holds senior research leadership experience within the NHS (Oncology), where he has led complex governance frameworks, regulatory oversight, and multi-stakeholder strategic programmes. This background reinforces analytical discipline, systems thinking, and structured execution in commercial environments.

In addition, Usman has over eight years of professional modelling and media engagement experience. Crowned Mr England 2025, he represents England internationally. This achievement reflects disciplined brand representation, media composure, and the ability to operate confidently at national and international levels.

His focus remains clear: building long-term development brands that attract stronger investor confidence, enhance capital alignment, and position projects for sustainable growth.

Finance & Tax Specialist

Thomas is a commercially focused finance and tax specialist with over a decade of experience advising growing businesses, investors, and complex commercial ventures. He qualified in 2010 while working at a large accountancy practice in Brentwood, where he specialised in providing accountancy and taxation advice to SMEs. Alongside his advisory work, Thomas has extensive experience liaising with HM Revenue & Customs on behalf of clients, managing enquiries and technical matters in a professional, transparent, and compliant manner.

Since then, Thomas has built a career that bridges both professional practice and industry. He has delivered financial leadership and specialist tax insight across a range of sectors including manufacturing, property, engineering, and health and wellbeing. This combination gives him a practical understanding of how businesses operate in reality, not just on paper.

Thomas is particularly known for his ability to structure businesses and investments in ways that are both commercially effective and tax efficient. Working closely with lawyers and other professional advisers, he plays a key role in identifying risks early, resolving complex issues, and creating clear, workable solutions. His strategic approach has helped unlock stalled investment opportunities, support business acquisitions and disposals, and navigate sensitive shareholder matters.

Clients value Thomas for his forward-thinking mindset and his ability to see challenges before they become problems. He combines technical expertise with a straightforward, approachable style, making complex financial matters easier to understand and act on.

Outside of work, Thomas enjoys spending time with his young family and is actively involved in several charity and community initiatives.

Trevor Akers, a qualified banker, brings over 50 years’ experience in banking, accountancy and property development. Trevor has a diverse background, both in the UK and overseas with major companies such as Unilever and Nat West Bank and smaller companies including shipping and computers.

He has been in business with Trevor Barker for over 30 years and between them they have purchased and developed numerous sites including sheltered accommodation, student accommodation and residential houses and apartments.

In his role he is using his expertise to advise on financial matters relating to acquisition and development costs and maximising returns on investment.

His leisure interests include travelling and he is an official of his local football club.

I’m Danny Steel, Managing Director of Steel & Co Ltd, the largest independent commercial property agency in East Suffolk. I’ve been in business in and around Lowestoft for over 40 years, which means I’m well connected, well informed, and usually a step ahead of the market.

I genuinely love what I do. Despite being in my seventies, I still get the same buzz from doing the deal as I did when I started — perhaps even more so, because experience counts for a lot in property.

My role within the Riverstone Estates 2020 Limited team is straightforward: to identify and secure the right buildings — properties with strong fundamentals that can be converted into high-quality apartments and deliver solid, reliable returns for investors. Build quality matters, of course, but location is king. Get that wrong and everything else is a compromise.

Amber Rahman is an experienced and highly organised Personal Assistant and Office Manager with a strong background in senior executive support, administration, and marketing coordination. She previously served as Personal Assistant to the Headteacher at Lady Eleanor Holles School, where she managed complex schedules, coordinated communications, and supported senior leadership within a fast-paced professional environment.

At Riverstone Estates 2020 Limited, Amber plays a key role in ensuring the smooth day-to-day running of the office, supporting the leadership team, coordinating operations, and helping streamline administrative and organisational processes across the business.

Known for her professionalism, efficiency, and strong organisational skills, Amber is highly adept at managing multiple priorities, maintaining clear communication, and supporting strategic initiatives. Her experience in administration, marketing support, stakeholder liaison, and office management makes her a valuable addition to the team as the company continues to grow within the property development sector.

Chloe brings a strong background in administration, with previous experience in the shipping industry at Maersk, where she managed end-to-end supply chain portfolios for multiple well-known companies.

She is known for her keen attention to detail and proactive approach, ensuring that day-to-day processes run smoothly and efficiently. Chloe maintains high standards of accuracy and reliability in all she does.

Passionate about creating structured and streamlined processes, she plays a key role in supporting business success and enhancing overall productivity.

Michael, our head of projects started his career working for AJ O’Connell’s, East Anglia’s largest Plastering and Tiling contractors. Michael then branched out to build his own building business at the age of 29. Whilst building his name in the construction industry he managed to secure contracts with different housing developers such as Hopkins Homes, Caspian Homes, Fielden’s, Lawrence Homes and more. Michael also was able to gain contracts with David Lloyds securing all their swimming pool refurbishments and bathroom projects.

After 35 years on the shop floor Michael now oversees our projects from the ground to the final product, with his background and knowledge this makes him an invaluable asset to our team.

Danny, our head of Construction has been involved with many different specialists builds throughout his career. He has been involved with the building of schools, office blocks in London and even Google. He has also been involved with the build of Pinewood studios and even one of the largest CLT buildings in the UK. Danny has been able to gain great experience working with Kier, SRM and Morgan Sindell.

Danny’s knowledge and passion for the construction industry makes him stand out and is able to drive our teams to achieve the best results and successful project executions.